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Fans, faculty and students at Texas Christian University got their first look at the new Amon Carter Stadium. Construction started after the 2010 season and ended just days before the 2012 season. (Published Thursday, Sep 6, 2012)

In two days Texas Christian University will be rocking with the start of college football and a new era in the history of Amon G. Carter Stadium.

On Thursday afternoon university leaders, alumni, students, fans and donors gathered at the new Founder's Plaza on the west side of the stadium for a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

After that it was a free for all in the stadium as the university allowed self-guided tours so that everyone could check out what has been 21 months in the making.

Robert Wood and Julia Stinson made the drive up early from Houston to check out the stadium and their season tickets. They're both 1987 graduates and were sad to see the eastern stands demolished earlier this year. But those stands are back, as are their seats, although we caught them checking out the view from one of the 30 plus new suites.

"This is just absolutely stunning," Wood said. "They promised many things and usually you just kind of take it with a gain of salt, but wow. Rare is it that they actually deliver."

Stewart Korte is a TCU senior this year. He saw Amon Carter before, during and after construction and was as equally as impressed.

"It's kind of overwhelming, I haven't seen any college stadium close to being this nice and I've been to quite a few," Korte said. "It's pretty cool."

The $164 million renovation created the Founder's Plaza, which features bronze plaques of key donors, as well as the Founders' Club and Founders' Suites.

The press box is also new, as is the visitor's locker room, ramps to the field and busses.

In total 791,520 bricks, more than 66,000 tons of concrete, 268 TVs and many other suites and amenities make up the renovations.

Not that Coach Gary Patterson or his players will pay much attention come Saturday night against Grambling State.

"We've been practicing out here so we got use the stadium," Patterson said. "But for us, what I'm trying to accomplish is it's all about winning. And so right now that's what we're doing but I want everybody else to enjoy it."

And based on the self-guided tour it looks like there will be plenty of enjoyment come Saturday and for years to come at the new Amon Carter Stadium.

"It is palatial as you can see, absolutely beautiful," Wood said. "As far as I can tell they've spared no expense."